CH718289A2 - Light box for photography and videography. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a light box (1) for photography and/or videography of an object. The box comprises: a box (3) comprising a plurality of walls defining an interior volume as well as an access (5) provided on one face of said box intended to be directed towards a user, said access (5) being shaped to allow him to insert at least one hand therein; an illumination and visualization system housed in the box (3) and defining a work volume (7) in communication with said access (5); characterized in that said illumination and visualization system comprises: at least one light diffusing element (21) which is located at a predetermined distance from at least one of said walls in order to define a gap (23) between said light-diffusing element (21) and said one of said walls, said light-diffusing element (21) at least partially delimiting said working volume (7); at least one light source (25) located in said interstice (23) and arranged to illuminate said work volume (7) diffusely through said light diffusing element (21); at least one point light source (25, 35) which can be switched off, masked or removable, arranged to directly illuminate said work volume (7); at least one digital camera (31) arranged to be able to photograph at least part of said work volume (7).

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a light box for photography and videography. It relates, more particularly, to such a box which is particularly suitable for photography and videography of luxury objects such as timepieces, jewelry, and jewelry, etc.

State of the art

[0002] US7055976 describes a collapsible photographic light box, which can be assembled in such a way as to provide a diffusely illuminated workspace. In service position, the box, which is of square or rectangular section, comprises three side walls, a bottom element as well as an illumination system serving as a ceiling and housing a fluorescent tube which illuminates the interior of the box through a diffuser element to provide diffused light. The box is open towards the front so that a user can place an object inside it and photograph it through the missing wall.

[0003] After use, the illumination unit can be removed from the walls and stored in the bottom element, which has, for this purpose, a hollow shape. The three walls are subsequently folded inwards so that the rear wall serves as a cover for the assembly.

[0004] This type of light box is fairly standard, and is commonly used for photography and general videography (hereinafter simply "photography"). However, it has limitations when it comes to photographing certain objects, such as timepieces (watches), jewelry, and jewelry. The diffused light produced is very „flat“ and does not allow cut stones to sparkle. Moreover, details of the decor (guillochage, textures, etc.) are sometimes difficult to photograph clearly, particularly when their contrast is limited.

[0005] Moreover, such conventional light boxes are difficult to adapt to real-time use for showing objects to people remotely via a network such as the Internet, for example for distance selling, in particular given the fact that the camera must be placed outside the box and hinders the work of the user if he wants to manipulate the object.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a light box in which the aforementioned defects are at least partially overcome.

Disclosure of Invention

More specifically, the invention relates to a light box for photography and / or videography of an object, comprising: a box of any shape, comprising a plurality of walls defining an interior volume as well as an access provided on one face of said box intended to move towards a user in the service position (that is to say the front face ) and shaped to allow him to insert at least one hand therein to manipulate said object; an illumination and visualization system housed in the box and defining a work volume in communication with said access so that the user can access it with one or more hands.

According to the invention, said illumination and visualization system comprises: at least one light diffusing element (such as a plate of translucent plastic material) which is located at a predetermined distance from at least one of said walls in order to define a gap between said diffusing element and said one of said walls , said diffuser element also being arranged to at least partially delimit said working volume; at least one light source located in said interstice and arranged to illuminate said work volume diffusely through said diffuser element; at least one point light source that can be switched off, masked or removable, arranged to directly illuminate said work volume without the light emitted being diffused by said diffuser element, this point light source possibly being one or more spot lamps and/or several LEDs , optical fibers or the like; at least one digital camera integrated into said illumination and visualization system, which is arranged to be able to photograph at least part of said work volume, the digital images taken by the camera being able of course to be communicated to a computer, tablet, smartphone or similar, integrated into, placed on, near or at a distance from the box.

[0009] By these means, objects viewed by the integrated camera can be optimally illuminated, depending on their optical properties (surface condition, presence or absence of cut stones, reflective areas, textured surface areas and low contrast etc.) Moreover, since the camera is integrated into the box, the handling and presentation of the object are significantly facilitated compared to an external camera.

[0010] Advantageously, said access can be resealable, which protects the volume of work from dust, dirt, etc. during transport and storage.

[0011] Advantageously, said casing may comprise a support arranged to support a screen, a tablet computer or a smartphone on the outside of said casing facing said user.

[0012] Advantageously, said at least one point light source may comprise at least one of: at least one point light source, such as an LED, integrated in said diffuser element; a light guide, such as an optical fiber or a periscope arrangement, passing through said diffuser element and arranged to guide point light from a light source located in said interstice; at least one point light source located opposite a removable part of said diffuser element such that, if the removable part is removed, this point light source illuminates the work volume directly and in a non-diffuse manner; at least one point light source such as an LED located on a removable plate mounted on said diffuser element in the work volume; at least one spot lamp located inside said work volume.

[0013] These options, taken individually or in combination, provide flexibility for optimizing the visualization of objects such as timepieces, jewelry, jewelery or other items.

Advantageously, the box may include at least one reflector located in said gap, said at least one light source being mounted on said reflector facing said diffuser element. The intensity of the diffused light can thus be improved.

Advantageously, said digital camera can be mounted on said diffuser element at least partially (preferably entirely) in said interstice, the diffuser having an opening aligned with the optical axis of said camera. The visibility of the camera when a reflective object (such as a watch crystal) is viewed is thus minimized.

[0016] Advantageously, said light box may comprise control elements located on said box and arranged to control said camera and/or all of said light sources.

[0017] Advantageously, said box can further comprise at least one additional reflector which cooperates with said diffuser element in order to delimit said work volume.

Advantageously, said light box can be arranged to be disassembled or folded.

Brief description of the drawings

Other details of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the description which follows, given with reference to the appended drawings in which: Figure 1 is an external isometric view of a light box according to the invention, in the transport position; Figure 2 is an exterior isometric view of the light box of Figure 1, in the service position; Figure 3 is an exploded isometric view of a first specific variant of a light box according to the invention, and of which certain elements of the box have not been shown; Figure 4 is a side sectional view of the light box of Figure 3, the section passing through the camera and the direction of view being parallel to the plane of the front face of the box; Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the light box of Figure 3, the section passing through the camera and the direction of view being perpendicular to the plane of the front face of the box; Figure 6 is an exploded isometric view of a second specific variant of a light box according to the invention, and of which certain elements of the box have not been shown; Figure 7 is a side sectional view of the light box of Figure 6, the section passing through the camera and the direction of view being parallel to the plane of the front face of the box; Figure 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the light box of Figure 6, the section passing through the camera and the direction of view being perpendicular to the plane of the front face of the box; Figure 9 is a view similar to that of Figure 7, the removable part of the diffuser having been removed; and Figure 10 is a view similar to that of Figure 8, the removable part of the diffuser having been removed.

Embodiments of the Invention

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a light box 1 according to the invention, seen from the outside. This box 1 comprises a box 3 defining a volume inside it, and provided with a front access 5 over the entire width of one side of the box 3 which is intended to be located facing a user when the box 1 is in use. However, an access 5 which does not extend over the entire width of the front face of the box 3 is also possible, insofar as the user can easily access it with at least one hand, preferably with both hands. The box 3 can be constructed of rigid material, for example wood, metal or rigid plastic, in order to protect the elements located inside it during transport.

Access 5 is shaped so as to allow the user to access a work volume 7 which is located inside the box and which will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 3 to 5 below.

[0022] For the rest, the access 5 is closable by means of a flap 9, pivotally mounted on the box 3 so as to open downwards (relative to the orientation of the box 1 in service position) to allow unobstructed access for both hands of the user. Alternatively, instead of a shutter 9, a removable plate can be provided to close access 5.

In the illustrated embodiment, the box 3 also includes a housing 11 for placing a tablet computer on an oblique front face 3a of the box 3, which can be closed by a second flap 13 pivotally mounted on the box. 3 so as to be able to open upwards. Alternatively, at least one screen can be integrated in the oblique front face 3a and/or in the face 13a of the second flap 13 intended to be located opposite the user when the box 1 is in the service position. Alternatively, an external display can be used.

[0024] In order to control all of the electrical and/or electronic elements integrated into the box 1, control elements 15 are also provided on the oblique face 3a of the box 3, next to the housing 11

Finally, a flexible cover 17 is provided, the latter being arranged to cover the upper face as well as the oblique face 3a in the transport position, and ad hoc handles 19 can be provided on the lateral sides of the box to facilitate its transportation.

[0026] It should nevertheless be noted that, in a simpler embodiment, one or more of the flap 9, housing 11, second flap 13, control devices 15, cover 17 and handles 19 may/may be omitted, and the shape of the box 3 can be chosen ad hoc.

Inside the box 3 is an illumination and display system 19, a first embodiment of which is illustrated in Figures 3 to 5.

[0028] The system 19 comprises a diffuser element 21 (hereinafter simply "diffuser") which serves to delimit the upper side of the working volume 7, and which is, in the illustrated embodiment, of generally concave shape defined by a plate bent along two lines to define three surfaces forming an obtuse angle between them. However, the shape of the diffuser 21 illustrated is not obligatory, the latter possibly being planar or of any suitable shape chosen on an ad hoc basis. For example, a "tent" shape formed of two, three, four, five or even more planar sections is possible.

The diffuser 21 is typically made of translucent plastic material, as generally known in the art, and is positioned in the interior volume of the casing 3 in such a way as to define a gap 23 between the upper wall 3b of the casing and the diffuser 21 In this interstice there is at least one light source 25, here illustrated as a plurality of LEDs mounted on a reflector 27 opposite the diffuser 21, the reflector 27 extending substantially parallel to the latter. Typically, the reflector 27 is of the diffuse reflection type, but this is not obligatory. Indeed, the presence of the reflector 27 is not obligatory either, the at least one light source 25 being supported in the gap 23 on any support or fixed directly on one of the walls of the box 3, which can be white in color if a diffuse reflection effect is still desired.

The lower part of the working volume 7 is defined by an additional reflector 29 with diffuse reflection, which is inclined and has a curved edge in order to join the diffuser 21 at the rear of the interior volume of the box 3. Again, this additional reflector 29, which is typically white in color, is optional and can therefore be omitted, the inside of the bottom of the box 3 being able to be provided with an appropriate coloring (white, black, or any other desired color) . The side edges of the work volume 7 are defined by side reflectors 30, also of the diffuse type, which, again, may optionally be omitted for the sake of simplification.

By these means, the interior of the work volume 7 can be bathed in diffuse light.

[0032] In order to view an object such as a timepiece, piece of jewelry, jewelery or the like, placed or held by the user in the work volume 7, a digital camera 31 (with fixed images and/or video) is mounted inside the box 3 so as to be able to view at least part of the work volume 7. In the illustrated embodiment, this camera 31 is mounted on the diffuser 21 in the gap 23 ( that is to say on the side of the diffuser 21 which is opposite the gap 23), its optical axis being aligned with an opening 21a provided at an ad hoc location (typically at or near the upper part of the diffuser 21) in order to take images through said opening 21a of an object presented to the camera in the work volume 7. In doing so, the camera 31 can be connected with a tablet computer placed on the box 3, with a computer integrated in the box 1 or with another computer, Smartphone or similar, in order to save photos and videos, and in order to be able to show the piece to a third party by videoconference, or similar.

[0033] The means described so far make it possible to visualize objects in general, but the box 1, according to the invention, has additional aspects making it possible to improve the visualization of certain objects, such as (but not limited to) timepieces, jewelery or jewelry.

First, in order to generate scintillations of cut stones carried by the object, a plurality of point light sources 35 are provided to provide direct point illumination. In the illustrated embodiment, these point light sources 35 are LEDs mounted in the diffuser 21, preferably flush with its surface which faces the work volume 7, so as to emit their light in the volume of work 7 without diffusion effect. Alternatively, the point light sources can be defined by the ends of a plurality of waveguides, such as optical fibres, periscopes passing through the diffuser 21 or the like, and arranged to guide the light emitted by a light source located in the interstice 23 or elsewhere in the box 1. The points of light thus created by the point light sources 35 help in particular to make cut stones sparkle, and can also improve the visual impression of facetted reflective surfaces and similar.

[0035] Secondly, to help make surface textures such as guillochage, relief or textured patterns or the like more visible, where the color contrast is very limited, at least one point light source of a different type is also provided, in particular at least one spot lamp 33 located inside the work volume. This spot lamp 33 is preferably adjustable in direction and is arranged to illuminate the object to be viewed with direct (that is to say not diffused) and oblique light. In the illustrated embodiment, two spot lamps 33 are provided, located symmetrically on either side of the opening 21a and fixed either to the diffuser 21, or to the side walls of the box 3. These spot lamps 33 can be n any type (LED, incandescent, fluorescent etc.), and any number may be provided. However, their presence is not mandatory.

Since it is sometimes useful to be able to vary the illumination according to the properties of the object viewed, one, the other or both of the spot lamps 33 and the point light sources 35 are likely to be turned off, in particular by means of the control devices 15. For example, in the case of viewing a timepiece devoid of cut stones, the point light sources 35 can be turned off in order to avoid reflections on the ice. Furthermore, if the spot lamps 33 give rise to disturbing reflections, they can also be switched off.

The current supply to the camera 31 as well as to the light sources 25, 33, 35 is ensured by an electrical source 39, which may comprise one or more batteries, one or more transformers for transforming current from the network or similar, mounted (s) between the reflector 27 and the housing 3, for example on a mounting plate 41 fixed to a wall of the latter.

A disadvantage of the construction of Figures 3 to 5 is that the point light sources 35 pass through the diffuser 21, and therefore are visible as dark spots when turned off. When viewing a watch, for example, their reflections are thus visible on the crystal of the watch, and the perception of a material or a color can be negatively influenced.

The construction illustrated in Figs 6 to 10 overcomes this problem. Most of the elements are unchanged from the embodiment of Figures 3 to 5, and will therefore not be described again. For the rest, only the reference signs mentioned below are reproduced in these figures.

In this embodiment, the diffuser 21 is devoid of point light sources 35 and, in their place, the latter comprises a removable section 21b, visible in Figures 6 to 8. This removable part 21b is supported by ad hoc mounting brackets 41 (here illustrated as flanges fixed to the side reflectors 30 or, in their absence, to the side walls of the box 3) so as to allow the user to remove it in order to expose a certain number 25a light sources 25 to the work volume 7. These light sources 25a can thus not only contribute to diffuse illumination when the removable part 21a of the diffuser 21 is mounted, but also to emit light directly into the work volume 7 when said removable part 21a is removed, without their light being subjected to diffusion, and thus make it possible to supply points of direct light without leaving visible dark points when an exclusive illumination diffuse ment is desired.

[0041] Advantageously, the removable part 21 is located on the zone of the diffuser 21 which is closest to the access 5, and when it is removed (as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10), the light sources 25 which are located opposite the opening thus cleared are made directly visible from the work volume 7.

In another variant of a light box 1 according to the invention, which is not shown, the point light sources 35 can be mounted on a removable plate which can be mounted in a similar way to the removable part 21 of the diffuser 21, the latter being contiguous and without opening.

In view of the above, it is clear that each embodiment of a light box 1 according to the invention represents a fully integrated solution in a single box, which is easily transportable and simple to use.

[0044] Although the invention has been previously described in connection with specific embodiments, other additional variants are also possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. It should be noted, in particular, that it is also possible to construct a light box 1 according to the invention in such a way as to be removable or collapsible.

Claims (9)

1. Light box (1) for photography and/or videography of an object, comprising: – a box (3) comprising a plurality of walls defining an interior volume as well as an access (5) provided on one face of said box intended to be directed towards a user, said access (5) being shaped to allow him to insert at least one hand; – an illumination and display system (1) housed in the box (3) and defining a work volume (7) in communication with said access (5); characterized in that said illumination and display system (19) comprises: – at least one light diffusing element (21) which is located at a predetermined distance from at least one of said walls in order to define a gap (23) between said light diffusing element (21) and said one of said walls, said light diffusing element (21) at least partially delimiting said work volume (7); - at least one light source (25) located in said gap (23) and arranged to illuminate said work volume (7) diffusely through said light diffusing element (21); – at least one point light source (25, 35) that can be turned off, masked or removable, arranged to directly illuminate said work volume (7); - at least one digital camera (31) arranged to be able to photograph at least part of said work volume (7). 2. Light box (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said access (5) is closable. 3. Light box (1) according to the preceding claim, comprising a support (11) arranged to support a screen, a smartphone or a tablet computer on the outside of said box (3) facing said user. 4. Light box (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one point light source (25, 35) comprises at least one of: – at least one point light source (35) integrated in said light diffusing element (21); – a light guide passing through said light diffusing element (21) and arranged to guide point light from a light source located in said interstice; - at least one point light source (25) located opposite a removable part (21b) of said light diffuser element (21); – at least one point light source located on a removable plate mounted on said diffuser element (21); – at least one spot lamp (33) located inside the work volume (7). 5. Light box (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one reflector (27) located in said gap (23), said at least one light source (25) being mounted to said reflector (27) facing of said light diffusing element (21). 6. Light box (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said digital camera (31) is mounted on said light diffuser element (21) in said gap (23), said light diffuser element (21) having an aperture (21a) aligned with the optical axis of said camera (31). 7. Light box (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising control elements (15) located on said box (15) and arranged to control said camera (31) and/or all of said light sources (25 , 33, 35). 8. Light box (1) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one additional reflector (29) which cooperates with said light diffusing element (21) in order to delimit said working volume (7). 9. Light box (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said box (1) is arranged pout be disassembled or folded.